IAAF World Championships, Daegu, Korea (Thanks, WRCisforgotten79!):Funmi Jimoh jumped 6.68m (21-11) in Group B of the Women's Long Jump to qualify for the finals today. Also, after 7 events in the Decathlon, Ryan Harlan is in 23rd place with 5,605 points. Click here the website.

Ben Thorseth (1990 - 2011):On August 20, Ben Thorseth passed away at the age of 21. Ben grew up in Denver, Egypt and Houston and graduated from Strake Jesuit. He was an incoming senior at Rice where he was a member of the golf team. He "was very active and outgoing, and loved to be with his friends enjoying their company and sharing laughs." Click here for the obituary.

A Message from "R" Association Exec. Dir. Don Knodel:Visit rassociation.net to support our student athletes as Letter Winners did for us when we were at Rice! Your annual $100 contribution can be made at our website. Thanks to all our members for your continued support.

Annual New School Year Greeting from Natalie Kirchhoff:Greetings Rice family!

Natalie Kirchhoff here (swimmer, Baker College ’09) reporting live from Vermont.I just competed at the USA Triathlon age group national championships where I finished 3rd to a former Olympic bronze medalist and became national champion in my age group.This is another milestone in my triathlon adventure.I will debut in the professional ranks later this season.

This past year I worked for Disney in planning the food & beverage piece for their new Hawaii resort. However, I am now on a leave of absence to pursue my goal and dream of making the 2016 Olympic triathlon team. I spend my time training, racing, speaking and recruiting sponsors to support me in my athletic pursuits.

To learn more about my year like my trip to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado and to track my racing schedule, please click here. Or better yet, come and visit me in central Florida. I'd love to see any Rice fans!